Figs
We have planted over 40 fig trees at Breezy Point Farm. I propagated them from my original six varieties at our home in Birmingham.
Figs set fruit on new growth, and they can grow three feet or more in a single year. That’s why it’s so important to prune branches to shoulder height to keep fruit within an arm’s reach. Do this in February.
Robin Eggs in a fig tree… Apparently the shiny metallic “Scare Tape” is the latest trend in Nest Decorating at Breezy Point Farm!
Healthy fig trees will send up dozens of shoots during spring. It’s important to cut these down at ground level, leaving seven to nine trunks spaced well apart.
Cut out big trunks growing in the center of the tree as well. This will allow light and air in, promote healthy growth and make harvesting easier. This fig tree still has too many trunks too close together.
Our main predators are birds and squirrels. The Cobra in the pink hood helps, especially if I move him around often. During peak season, we harvest twice a day to get to the figs before they get overripe are damaged by birds or squirrels.
Figs are ripe and ready for picking when the color warms and the stem begins to curve, as seen on the left. Looks like somebody beat us to the fig on the right!
You can harvest at the very first sign of ripening (warmer color, slight softness, stem beginning to curve), since figs do continue to ripen after being picked.